Jose Mourinho is closing in on a dramatic return to Real Madrid after Benfica confirmed that the Spanish club intends to trigger the coach’s release clause.
The Portuguese side announced on Tuesday that Madrid had formally informed them of plans to sign Mourinho for €15 million (£12.7 million), the amount specified in his contract.
The disclosure was made through a statement sent to Portugal’s financial markets regulator, leaving little doubt that a deal is nearing completion.
The move would mark Mourinho’s return to the Santiago Bernabéu more than a decade after his first spell in charge.
Silva Chosen as Successor
Benfica moved quickly to prepare for life after Mourinho.
The club announced a two-year agreement with Marco Silva, who recently left Premier League side Fulham after five seasons in charge.
Silva arrives with a strong reputation after guiding Fulham through a period of stability and growth in English football.
His appointment signals Benfica’s desire for continuity as they look ahead to a new era.
A Familiar Face Returns
For Real Madrid, Mourinho’s return would represent both a reunion and a gamble.
The 63-year-old first took charge of the Spanish giants in 2010. During three intense seasons, he helped end Barcelona’s dominance by winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
His tenure was defined by fierce battles with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, producing some of the most memorable clashes in modern Spanish football.
Mourinho remains one of the game’s most decorated and polarising figures. Admirers point to his winning record and ability to rebuild teams. Critics argue that his confrontational style can create divisions.
Madrid Seeking a Reset
The decision comes after a disappointing campaign for Real Madrid.
The club finished the 2025/26 season without a major trophy, extending a difficult run to two consecutive years.
President Florentino Pérez, who secured re-election at the weekend, now appears ready to turn to a familiar figure in an effort to restore Madrid’s dominance.
Earlier on Tuesday, the club confirmed the departure of coach Álvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa had taken charge in January after replacing Xabi Alonso. Last month, he announced his intention to leave at the end of the season.
His exit cleared the path for Madrid to pursue a high-profile replacement.
Pressure From Day One
Should the deal be completed, Mourinho will return to a club where expectations remain as high as ever.
Supporters will expect immediate results. Rivals will question whether his methods can still succeed at the highest level.
For now, Benfica have said their goodbyes. Real Madrid, meanwhile, appear ready to welcome back one of the most influential managers in the club’s modern history.
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